*
THE
PALMETT®
JEAJR.1 l&AIN
South Carolina Division
Sons of Confederate Veterans
3So nou, jsons of (ttonfrdrratr Srtrrans,
foe foil! submit tfjr bindicatinn of tt|e
cause for fetich, tot fought. tEo jjour
itrtngtfj foil! be given tlje drfrnsr of
itge Confederate foiditr'i good name,
% guardianship of I]i* hietorg."
fit. <8mir*l ,Sttphfn S. Iff
flenftdtritr Sta!r« of Awrrita
VOLUME 4
NARCH/APRIL 1986
NUMBER 2
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On Ap-t^. 72, 79S6 Statu Commanded Jack ManlaA ojj the S.C.V. and U.V.C. Vn.eii.dent
M/ia. Ray Hunten placed a ui/ieath at the memotujil to Con{edexate deiendeu, o{, fonJL
SumteA. 1\um czxemony u)a& conducted by Commanded Van Ravenel {on le^t) o$ the
CkaAZeAton Camp duAlng commemo/iation orf the 125th anniueA&aAy o<$ the {ifijLna on Vont
Sumtet, and uia6 In conjunction with the State Convention oh the S.C.V. A xepofit on
wrixc.fi -co contained within.
CAMP NEWS
A digest o£ dUpatckeMr
lnom the. iWbi,
Anderson - The March meeting consis-
ted of a program brought by Lt. Cmdr. Dr.
Hugh Vincent on Johnson Haygood and his
brigade the ljrt S.C. Infantry. DtVincent
had five great-great-uncles in Co. F of
Haygoods Brigade, and his great -grandmotfier
made the flag for Battery Wagner on Morris
Island where the brigade was stationed for
a time.
A later war was the topic at the Ap-
ril meeting when Major Jerry Wilson of Iva
spoke on Vietnam. A native of Lancaster he
retired after 21 years as a Marine flyer.
He is credited with the second highest kill
ratio of all pilots in that war.
Mjr. Wilson flew 215 missions and per-
formed what must be the most incredible
feat of the war - he dropped a bomb down a
well not once but twice. The Vietcong had
been using the well as a tunnel entrance.
Camden - At a meeting on March 18 Lt .
Comdr. Cullen Capehart presented a progiam
on the WBTS Medical Service. His presen -
tation was limited due to time and he may
make an encore.
The camp also met April 15 with a pro-
gram arranged by Cmdr. Capehart. The camp
also organized a living history display
during the Palmetto Balloon Classic, May
2-4 in historic Camden. They have also pre
pared a display for the local archives.
Charleston - The April meeting was
held at the home of Compatriot Paul
Trouche ni , on Broad St. Cpt. Robert Klumb
gave an excellent talk on the Conf, Signal
Corps .
May 10 the camp met for Memorial Day.
Columbia - Cpt. Thaddeus Raines, one
of the camps Real Sons, provided the pro-
gram during the meeting in the Clariosophtc
Hall at U.S.C..
The Anglo-Saxon and Celtic heritage
of the South was the subject in May when
Mr . Ed Thomas spoke .
Ujmmq hurfmy on GnzeymMeA HztuXage. Gnzm.
Florence - In may Dr. James Daniels Pres.
of Coker College, gave an outstanding presen-
tation on the causes of the war and discussed
the institution of slavery and its influence
on the South and the nation, in the years be-
fore the war.
Bob Stevens of Darlington presented a
program centered around the notes he inheri-
ted from his ancestor Captain William Henry
Edwards who was a company Commander in the
17th Regiment, S.C. Volunteers. He traced the
history of the 17th and reviewed information
in the books he has completed and is current-
ly working on.
Greenville - In March Cpt. Al Stokes of
the Palmetto Sharpshooters visited and gave
an insightful talk on the way Southern hist-
ory is presented in the states textbooks.
At the April meeting Professor from Bob
Jones University spoke on "Southern Warriors:
The Christianity of the Men Who Wore the Gray"
His talk told how the religious conviction of
the Southern soldier gave him "dying grace",
and "produced fearless warriors."
The 16th Regiment also presented a living
history during Greenvilles 300th anniversary
celebration. During this time the camp dis-
tributed over 500 pamphlets about the S.C.V.
*jyQUR CONFEDERATE ANCESTOR
LeJ>£ we. io/iQzt.
1
NatlujineX. AuA tx.nt I7_ - Great-great-great-
great Uncle of John Dobbins of the Palmetto
Sharp Shooters Camp in Anderson. Nathaniel
Austin was a Lieutenant in Co. E., 14 S.C.
Infantry. On the second day of the Battle of
Gettysburg, he was mortally wounded and was
removed from the field to a hospital where
he died a few days later. Twenty, or more,
years later the owner of a farm near the bat-
tlefield advertised in a Charleston newspaper
that the body of Dr. Nathaniel Austin, with
those of a number of other South Carolinians
had been located and would be shipped to re-
latives so desiring. His body was returned
to his native state and buried at Charleston,
South Carolina,
Lt. Austin was the son of Walter Manning
Austin of Greenville Co.. His grandfather,
Nathaniel Austin, Jr. was Quartermaster Sgt.
in the Little River Regiment commanded by
ol . James Williams in the Revolutionary War.
is great-grandfather, Nathaniel Austin, I,
was a Captain of an Infantry Company in Gen-
eral Pickens Brigade in the Revolution.
Nathaniel Austin was one of the first
settlers in what is now Greenville Co. coming
from Virginia in 1761.
Lt . Austin was a medical doctor having
received his formal medical training at the
Medical College of Charleston. He was married
to Laura Camilla Barksdale of Laurens Co. on
April 25, 1861. One son, Walter Nathaniel
Austin was born to them.
WIZtia/n Robz/it SzaiMtu.qkt - Great- great-
great-great Uncle of John Dobbins, Seawright
enrolled in the Confederate Army on March 7,
1862 at Camp Morrison, Paulding Co., Georgia,
in the town of Dallas. The next day he was
elected Captain of the Company. The unit was
originally known as Captain Seawright 's Com-
pany, Lt. Col. Morrisons Battalion of Geor£a
Cavalry. Later, it was changed to Co. D, First
Regiment of Georgia Volunteers, Cavalry Crew"s
Brigade, Allen's Division, Wheeler's Corps,
Army of the Tennessee. It was organized as
such on May 28, 1862. Captains Seawright' s
career in the Confederate Army was cut short
some 45 days after this organization; as he
is listed as being killed in action on July 13
1862 at Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Captain Seawright was born in 1832 in
Abbeville Co., the son of Andrew and Sarah
Jane Gilmer Seawright.
Seawright 's great-grandfather, James
Stevenson of Abbeville , served as a Sec-
ond Lieutenant in the Little River Volun-
teer Militia in the Revolutionary War. He
was also a Captain under General Frances
Marion in 1781 - 1782.
ETCETERA
As we go to press Com. Jack Marlar has
announced that a new camp is being chartered
in Lancaster, South Carolina. The camp will
be named for Witherspoon Barns a Colonel in
the Confederate Army and a member of the
Confederate States Congress.
The compatriots plan to meet on the ttiri
tuesday of every month, at the Western Siz-
ziling on the By-pass in Lancaster.
The official Charter should be issued
sometime in June or July. For more informa-
tion contact Terry Gardener or W.C.Carnes at
285 - 5183.
All Compatriots are reminded that the
Palmetto Sharpshooters Camp No. 1428 will
be having Wilson Orr Speak on the Battle
of Gettysburg. This the camps prime meet-
ing of the year. The meeting will take
place in Anderson. For more information
and for ticket reservations contact Dan
Snipes at 261 - 6660.
STATE CONVENTION
**
CHARLESTON, S.C-
The annual convention of the
South Carolina Division of the
Sons of Confederate Veterans
convened on April 12, In the 126th
year since secession. The
convention assembled at the
Charleston Yacht Club in
Charleston, South Carolina, and
was hosted by the officers and
gentlemen of the Fort Sumter
Camp.
Commander Daniel Ravens I,
serving as presiding officer,
called the convention to order and
called on Father James Bach to
deliver the Invocation,
Presentation of the colors was
conducted by the Ball Batton
Company - Color Guard Washington
Light Infantry, The conventioneers
then pledge allegiance to the
flags of the United States of
America, the sovereign state of
South Carolina, and the
Confederate States of America, and
sang one verse of "Dixie",
Commander Ravenel welcomed
Mrs. Ray Hunter, State President
of the United Daughters of the
Confederacy, as the convention's
honored guest. He then called for
VhsmiLwq Q^faiceA. VamzL VamwL
messages and reports. At this time
compatriot Dfnty Moore of the
16th S.C, Reenactment read the
minutes of the last meeting. As
there were no additions or
corrections the chair ruled them
correct as read. The convention
then heard a representative from
each camp report on the activities
of their respective camps. This
proved to be a good opportunity
for delegates to learn about
activities of other camps and also
get some good ideas to take back
with them. Mrs. Hunt then brought
greetings from the U.D.C. and
addressed the convention
concerning the "daughters"
activities.
Jack E. Marlar, State
Commander of the Sons of
Confederate Veterans, delivered
the State of the State address
saying that the division was
healthy and growing. State
Commander of the Military Order of
the Stars and Bars Ed Crosby
reported during his State of the
State address that the M.O.S.B.
was becoming more active and had
severa I good prospects for new
camps In the state.
"Palwetto Partisan" editor
Bill Cross reported on the
progress of this publication
noting that It has been twice
awarded by the National
organization. Mr, Cross was
roundly congratulated by the
assembly for his efforts,
"Progressing slowly but
surely" was how Jim Fox described
the work the Regimental Histories
Book Committee, This project,
which is chaired by Mr. Fox, will
provide a lasting testimony of
those South Carolinians who served
the cause of Southern
Independence, The Save the Flag
Committee, which is charged with
actively supporting the display of
the Confederate flag (especially
over the Capitol Dome), is without
a committee chairman and Commander
Marlar asked for a volunteer to
take up this important duty.
When new business was called
for compatriot Earl Barnett,
Commander of the 16th S.C,
Regiment made a motion which would
require the "Palmetto Partisan" to
publish the State Division
Financial Report, After a brief
discussion the motion was ruled
accepted by acclamation.
Compatriot W. C. Smith and
M.O.S.B. Commander Ed Crosby were
honored during the convention. Joe
Taylor of the Maxcy Gregg Chapter
presented both of the gentlemen
with certificates Issued by the
Commander-in-Chief. ^^
The convention's attenti.
then turned to the election of
officers. First to be considered
was the office of State Commander.
The meeting was opened for
nominations with J. J. Mahoney
nominating Jack Marlar for another
term. W, C, Smith was nominated by
Job Taylor,
Each candidate was given the
opportunity to speak to the
**
It. Camwri&i Ow/t£&6 E. BoamOl
->
V<lL<lqoX<U <zJL<lclZ
assembly for five minutes. Mr.
Marlar cited his record of service
as State Commander and especially
his leadership of the opposition
to the National Headquarters site
of Franklin, Tennessee. Mr. Smith
called for a return to the
organization's constitution and
for a non-consecutive two-year
term for state officers. He
further ca I led
Commanders to be
than appointed.
After the speeches Mr,
Ravenel announced that voting
would be according to the National
Electoral System with each camp
casting one vote for every ten
registered members. The delegates
for Brigade
elected rather
were then given a fifteen minute
conference period.
When the conference period
had expired and the convention re-
called to order the vote was
taken. Jack Marlar was re-elected
with twenty-six votes to five
votes for W. C. Smith.
For the office of l_t.
Commander, W. C. Smith nominated
Charles E, Barnett and Raphael
Jones was nominated by his
compatriots in the Fort Sumter.
The delegates were again given a
fifteen minute conference period.
After the re-call to order the
vote was taken. Mr. Barnett was
elected with seventeen votes to
fourteen votes for Mr. Jones.
In unrelated business the
presiding officer recognized
Thaddeus Raines as the only Real
Son at the convention. He also
recognized Mr. Earl Crawford of
the Texas-based Confederate Air
Force (a group which files WWII
era combat aircraft), and
encouraged them to "fly-by" the
National Convention in Columbia,
S.C. In 1988.
After lunch Mr. jack Leland,
esquire, delivered a spirited
lecture on the Gullah traditions
of Charleston, All other business
concluded, the convention
concluded sine die.
Joe. Tayton [cwtesi] pMAwU (XAtl&iarteA to W.C.Smtih {teft.) owi. Ed Owby.
Southern Heritage Day
&
Battle of Owens Farm
Saturday, June 14, 1986
V dtuffaitkt whole fauhf ifrimjuj"
Southern Arts, Crafts, Antiques, Collectibles, Food, .
Historic &. Geneologica! Groups, War Between
The States Reenactors, Living History Camps, &. Two
i: .--.. p,_i.,. „ii
• tjiui y d-'dik4i.j ail
tnc setting Oi a t_,irca
1820 Plantation.
Date & Time*:
Gates will open June 14, 1986 at 9:00 AM and close at
4:00 PM. Admission $1.00, children under six FREE.
Location:
From Columbia follow Hwy 215 toward Monricello. Take
Hwy 269 toward Winnsboro and follow the signs to Road
54.
J
Skirmish:
A reenactment of Bank at Owens' Farm will be performed
by the units attending.
Drill*
Infantry &. artillery will perform drills throughout the day.
An award will be presented to the most authentic re-
enacrrnent unit.
Raffle:
A drawing will be held for an authentic War Between the
States Enfield Rifle. Tickets will be available prior to
drawing.
Sale:
A variety of relics and codec tables will be for sale as well asa
booth specializing in War Between the States era paintings
and prints.
Exhibits:
There will be exhibits of War Between the States era relics
and collectables by several collectors and museums.
Sponsored by:
Sons of Confederate Veterans
Wade Hampton Camp 273
and
Military Order of The Stars & Bars
Maxey Gregg Chapter
Lord Manor Plantation
N
-»-E
S
CAMDEN S-'
RIDGEWAY
2 Miles South of 213 on
Road 54
54 Mile North of Road 70 on
Road 54
For Information, write to:
124 Cornish Way
Lexington, SC 29072
GENERAL ORVERS
by Com. Jack E. Matitex
14 Sooth.eA.Ki keJuXagz. doomed "*
to dJj>appza/i ajiZo the. mau)
o<) the. AmzAA.ca.Yi moJJJjio pot.
There is good and bad happening in re-
gard to our efforts to preserve accuracy
in Southern history. "North and South" was
not enough to kick us with so we're getting
another dose - "North and South H1.'
Without getting into a whole disser-
tation on the "damnyankee-hollywood" type
people let us observe what someone from a
different country had to say about a seven
week visit to the U.S. This past summer I,
and many others in the S.C.V. and P.L.A.,
had the pleasure and honor to meet Mr.
Donald Jordan of the Confederate High Com-
mand in England. He was more than taken by
our Southern hospitality and the battle re-
enactments. I am including his editorial
from their Newsletter; youshould reflect
upon it at length.
Do you not agree that we must speak
out, write letters, get involved and act-
ively recruit new members or the concept
of truth in Southern history is doomed?
The obligation is ours" because we are
Americans; more dutifully Southern Ameri-
cans. If we do not heed the call you may
rest assured that no one else will! You m
know the old saying "It is not necessary
to oppose Southern history, just do nothi
the liberals will do it for you." What ar<
ou going to do this year? I invite your
comments.
The following is an excerpt from an
editorial by Mr. Donald Jordan. A
Only one thing marred an otherwise per-
fect trip, and that was the slanted view
of history presented by some of the persor
nel of the National Park Service. At Harp-
ers Ferry the visitor was left in no doubt
that John Brown was a crusading angel or
something fairly close to it. At Gettys-
burg; on the National Cemetery tour we
were informed that "the South had started
the War and was responsible for the deaths
of thousands of Americans:" The Valley of
Death tour yielded heroic details of all
Union units involved, but when one brave
soul asked about the Confederates he was
directed to a nearby sign. Slides and tapes
on sale in the Visitors Center contained
references to Andersonville but made no
mention of the numerous Northern horror
camps.
One can only wonder how long the gallant
efforts of the U.D.C., S.C.V. and M.O.S.B.
can prevail against the steady tide of mis-
information. Is Southern heritage doomed
to disappear forever into the maw of the
American melting pot, to be sadly rembered
by only a few eccentric groups scattered
throughout the world?
*"*
EVUORS HOTE
In order to give Bill Cross some time to
tend to certain personal affairs I have, for
the present, accepted the responsibility of
editing the "Palmetto Partisan". Therefore,
any problems or complaints with the next
few editions you may lay at my feet.
I hope that I can continue the high
standards set by Compatriot Cross. I await
your comments and suggestions.
In the service of the South,
Christopher M. Sullivan
T
KERSHAW PART I
'The. &a£al i>ptilng o& 1S64 biUngA.
lum many hounb oi high hazcuid.
~t
Col. Kershaw was given charge
of, and later cortmand of. Gen.
Bonham's Brigade. When Gen.
Bonhant resigned to become Governor"
of S. C. Kershaw was promoted to
Brigadier General. As a result of
this move, and the many excellent
results of his leadership, the
Brigade became known as Kershaw's
Brigade, The Army of Northern
Virginia was immediately
challenged by the Federals at
Manassas. The Confederates met
this challenge with the same
tenacity they were to exhibit
throughout the war.
Being neither a graduate of a
military school nor a professional
soldier, promotions were
difficult. However, in 1864,
after commanding McLaws' old
division for a year, Kershaw was
promoted to Major General.
Evan to the objective and
fair historian, it is easily
apparent that Gen, Kershaw and
his men were highly regarded and
respected by most of their
contemporaries, associates and
commanding officers. Generals
Lee, Longstreet, McLaws, Gregg,
Jackson, Early, Beauregarde, Hill,
Ewell, Stuart, Anderson, Hampton,
Hood, Jenkins, Fltz-Lee, Gordon,
Pickett, W. H. Fltz-Lee, Pegram,
Field, Custis Lee and others
regarded him and his command as a
strong arm of the army.
After Manassas, Kershaw's
command took a prominent and
important part of some or all of
the following engagements (not
listed chronologically): the
Peninsula, Savage Station, Fair
Oaks, Williamsburg, Yorktown,
Seven Pines, Seven Days, Harper's
jpBk Ferry, Maryland Heights,
Sharpsburg (Antletam), Gettysburg,
Fredericksburg, Second Manassas,
Chancel lorsvl I le, Wilderness,
Spottsylvanla, Drurys Bluff, Cold
Harbor, Winchester, Cedar Creek,
Salem Church, Chickamauga,
Missionary Ridge, Knoxville,
defensive campaigns around
Richmond and Petersburg (The
Crater), the retreat towards
Appomatox, Saylers Creek and
surrender in April 1865. (Each of
these engagements has a thrilling
story, )
At Saylers Creek, four miles
from Appomatox, a large gap
occurred between Gordon's forces
and those of Kershaw, Ewell and
Custis Lee. The Federals,
following closely in large masses,
took quick advantage and over-ran
the depleted Confederates,
completely surrounding these
generals and their staffs.
Kershaw chose a Federal corporal
to lead him to Gen. George
Custer's (cavalry) headquarters,
Custer accepted the surrender
graciously and invited Kershaw to
share his open quarters. Kershaw
and his son John, who later had a
long and illustrious career as
rector of St. Michael's, were
transferred to Fort Warren, a war
prison in Boston Harbor, where he
remained until August 1865. Upon
Kershaw's release, he returned to
Camden via Baltimore, He was
reunited with his family at long
last, but under economic and
political conditions which would
have strained a Moses, However,
he immediately set about with
other associates to help with the
tremendous job of trying to
maintain representative government
In the State, in the face of the
imposition of military rule by the
Federal Government.
Kershaw was elected to the
S.C, Senate in 1865 and In 1867,
was President Pro Tempore and was
a trustee of the University of
South Carolina, However, the
Insidious Black Days of Federal
Retribution came upon the state
and a majority of once-prominent
citizens were disenfranchised.
Kershaw was chairman of the
Democratic Party and was a
candidate for the U.S. Congress
in 1874, but was defeated In a
questionable Federally supervised
election.
However, during this post-war
period, better known as
Reconstruction, Kershaw, Gen, J,
0. Kennedy, W, M, Shannon and
James Chesnut, Jr., working
together with other Camden men.
Wade Hampton of Columbia and many
others of the state, were most
Instrumental in finally getting a
toehold in the government of South
Carolina, and in leading the state
back to a very loose
interpretation of "normalcy".
Joseph B. Kershaw was elected
Judge of the 5th Circuit in 1877
and served until 1893. His record
on the bench reflected the same
regard he always had for Law,
Principle, Morals and Rights, His
community and state respected him
and many loved and revered him.
When he died in 1894 the people
turned out en mass to mourn at his
funeral.
He was buried at Grace
Church, and since he was a beloved
past State Grand Master of Masons,
the Kershaw Lodge No. 29
participated at the graveside
service which included a
magnificent eulogy. This is the
same Lodge which now owns the
beautiful and historic Mills Court
House, and has been continuously
active since Its founding.
Herein is given a few bare
facts about a very few of the
Incidents and events in this man's
life, each of which would be a
story in Itself. He held In high
regard the people with whom he
(continued on back page)
GREEA/t/TLLE CAMP
SPONSORS CONTEST
GEENVILLE, S.C.-
For the second consecutive
year the 16th S.C. Regiment
(Greenville Camp 1268) has
sponsored a Southern Heritage
Essay Contest. This contest is
open to high school students in
Greenville County, Winners
received trophies and U.S.
Savings Bonds.
The contest was started a
year ago as a way to encourage
students to Intelligently consider
the War Between the States and its
concurrent imp I I cat ions for the
South and for Southerners. It has
also provided the Q-eenville Camp
with "a highly visible influence
in the community" according to
Camp Commander Earl Barnett,
January 1 was selected as the
starting date for the contest in
order to coincide with classroom
study of the war which is during
the second semester of American
History. The finishing date was
April 2. This gave the students
plenty of time to research the
subject while allowing the
committee enough time to judge the
essays before the presentation of
awards.
The contest was managed by a
committee of three camp
volunteers. They established the
rules and judging criteria,
authorized the judges and selected
the topics. In this year's contest
the committee picked three
subjects for the students to use
as a thesis. They were as fol lows:
the Confederate Government and
International Relations, a
Battlefield History of the 16th
S.C, Regiment and Causes of the
War Between the States. By having
more than one topic a student can
pick a subject closer to his
personal interest and it also
reduces the problem of several
students having to share the same
reference material.
The contest was open to a I I
high school students in Greenville
County. This included students in
private schools as well as
students in government schools.
However, before the School
District of Greenville County
would allow the camp to promote
this contest to its students It
was required to submit a form
stating all the pertinent
Information. This in turn had to
be considered by a select
committee of the school district
personnel. While this process was
time consuming it hart to be done.
After receiving the
permission of the school district
the next step was to disseminate
the information to the teachers
who could in turn announce it to
the students. In the government
schools this was accomplished by
delivering the necessary number of
copies of the Information sheets
to the Social Studies Coordinator,
Mrs, Jane Satter field. According
to contest chairman Chris
Sullivan, Mrs. Satterfield was
instrumental In the success of the
contest. In the case of the
private and parochial schools the
committee mailed each of them the
information along with a letter
explaining the contest and its
purpose.
In addition to this a local
computer firm - Southern Data
Systems, Inc. - donated time on a
word processor which the committee
used to send personalized letters
to teachers. Every teacher who had
a student participate the previous
year was encouraged to rto so
again. All others were reminded of
the contest and asked to emphasize
it to their students.
The awards tor the contest
were as follows: first place
received an engraved Carolina Cup
and a one-hunrireri-f [fty dollar
Savings Bond; second place
received a one-hundred dollar
Savings Bond and an engraved
Jefferson Cup; and third place
received an engraved Jefferson Cup
and a fifty dollar Savings Bond.
In planning the contest the
comm 1 ttee a I so recogn I zed that the
teacher would be an important
influence on the students'
decision to participate. So, this
year the Camp prov i ded an extra
bonus by offering to pay fifty
dollars to the History department
of the winner's school.
By extending an awarrt to the
school the contest got better ""~
publicity and also provided the
entrants with the opportunity to
compete for their school as well
as for themselves. With the
constraints on most school budgets
this prize money is a significant
Inducement for the teacher to
encourage - and In some cases even
to require -students to
part iclpate.
After all the entries had
been received the committee then
sorted the papers removing those
which had particularly egregious
errors. At this point the
committee was not concerned with
style or substance but with the
technicalities of the essay. The
papers which survived this cut
were then submitted for judging.
It was at this point that the
papers were considered for their
originality of approach and depth
of research.
Out of twenty-seven entries ^^
from six different high schools
the judging panel selected three
prize winners. According to
Mr, Sullivan, "there were several
very good papers. However, there
TfieAe cjinnot be a. monz.
JunpoKtanZ batttz.Qfioa.nd ion.
Southern hl6ton.y than the.
claA4n.oomt> oi qua Atate..
')
were also several very bad
ones.".
For Instance, one student
apparently became confused between
the Confederate States of America
and the Articles of Confederation
and wote that "the Confederate
Government was not a tota I
failure. It established a new
nation and it held together for
nearly a decade,". Another
essayist felt that "The North
sustained its people better than
the South.". He also claimed that
without slavery the South was
"nothing" and that "Ironically,
our country has prospered every
(sic) since slavery was
abolished.". In a paper citing
slavery as the cause of the War,
the student's thesis was supported
by a hideous portrayal of stave
life. To wit, "The slaves were
badly treated. Some slaves were
forced to separate from their
family (sic). Most staves worked
all day on the field. If they mess
(sic) up or do (sic) something
wrong, they would get whipped or
beaten. Sometimes they would be
beaten for no reason. They were
also poorly taken care of. Some
lived in a crowded mud house with
only one room, and some were
barely fed and had to wear about
one or two sets of clothes for
years.".
Finally, one student proved
that his ignorance of history was
exceeded only by his ignorance of
current events when he cited the
Emancipation Proclamation as
being Lincoln's "greatest speech"
and concluded by saying, "the
Civil War. ..stopped ail sectional
rivalries, ...and the quarrels
between the government and the
states.".
The above citations prove
that some of the high-school
students in Greenville County are
woefully deficient in an
understanding of Southern History,
(It Is important to note that it
Is usually the more academically
motivated students who enter
contests such as this.) This,
however, should not be construed
to include at I students. There
were, In fact, several very well-
written and we I I -researched
papers.
The question now Is what can
be done to rectify this distortion
in the minds of South Carolina's
school children? Mr, Sullivan
recommends six things. 1) Start an
essay contest In the school
district covered by your camp. If
every camp in the State did this
we cou I d soon have a state-w I da
finals competition. 2) Visit your
county and school libraries to see
what books are available for a
student to use as sources. Are the
subjects balanced and accurate? If
gaps are found start a program In
your camp to donate the necessary
books. 3) Do the libraries have
subscriptions to the Southern
Partisan? If not, donate
subscriptions. 4) Examine the
textbooks used by the schools in
your area and how they recount
Southern History. 5) Offer to
supply members of your camp
(especially any re-enactors who
can wear their uniforms) to speak
to history classes. And finally,
6) Consider sponsoring a Children
of the Confederacy chapter in your
area.
There cannot be a more
important battleground for
Southern history than in the
classrooms of our state. It is not
enough to rave at the Ignorance
and villainy of the studios of
Hollywood and at the publishing
houses of New York If the next
generation cannot recognize their
own history.
The ukmeM o£ thiA yeaA& eMoy can&At and Mt. StrfZixxw..
(KERSHAW continued)
cams in contact. There were many
men in Camden who deserve'! high
praise. Kershaw was never
stinting of his praise of others.
There, in the same Court House in
which he practiced Law and sat as
Judge, he would want the same
praise for Generals James Chesnut
Jr., Cantey, Oeas, Vlllepigue, and
especially Kennedy, each of whom
had his own distinguished career.
The following Is quoted from
Douglas Southhall Freeman's Lee's
Lieutenants: "This South Carolina
lawyer J. B. Kershaw continues to
display aptitude In command and,
at a time when the First Corps is
str[fe-riven, he keeps his poise
and the good opinions of his
comrades. The fatal spring of
1364 which finds him a Major
General, brings him many hours of
high hazard. Kershaw passes thru
them all as If they were the
unvexing incidents of a quiet
life. Even in the hour when his
troops are surrounded, he loses
none of his dignity. Behind that
dignity is character, in the
molding of which RELIGION has
first place,"
Financial Statement for the Period Ending
March 31, 1986
Bank Balance 1 March 1985
Deposits as of 31 March 1986
51,296.69
3,991.49
$5,288.18
Expenses
Palmetto Partisan
$1
,834.48
Stationery
335.78
Books
393.06
Newspaper Advertising
55.50
State Convention
139.68
Postage, Permit, & Phone Calls
200.79
Membership Applications
22.00
T-Shirts
277.77
Typevriter & Ribbon
333.85
Checks & Check Book
41.06
Contribution - Hurricane Damage to
100.00
Beauvolr
S3, 733.97
Bank Balance 31 March 1986
$1,554.21
Notes
Income wtu inom hate, oi hook* and T-ihAJutt, and &nom State. du<u
oa teMuUzd by the. campi .
Tht Ex.zcu.tive. Commlttt-i approved, the. puxthaie. oi a typeunuXteji
iot the. esUXon oi the. PALMETTO PARTISAN. Thx* uiai a *.e.condjLUone.d
typewuAteA.
The poitaqe. peAmlt. oi SO. 00 uxu to the U.S. PoitoHlnz ion a
bulk rncuU. peAmlt.
*
By Louis Douglas deLoach
Grandson of J. B. Kershaw
SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS
THE PALMETTO PARTISAN
c/o Bill Cross, Editor
2 Lady Marion Lane
Greenville, SC 29607
NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
GREENVILLE, SC
PERMIT NO. 1489
"